Mary A. Prejsnar

05/28/2002

Mary A. Prejsnar, 79, of 44 East St. died Tuesday evening at Laurel Lake Nursing Center, where she had been a patient for several weeks. Born in Stockbridge on Jan. 20, 1923, daughter of Roman and Maryanna V. Zinski Trepcynski, she was a 1940 graduate of the former Williams High School, where she had been a pro merito student for four years. She was employed as a hairdresser in Stockbridge prior to her marriage. After her marriage, she assisted her husband in the operation of the former Gateway Beauty Salon in Lenox and then Great Barrington. Mrs. Prejsnar was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Stockbridge. She enjoyed cross-country skiing, bike riding and working in her flower gardens. An avid reader, she enjoyed books of poetry and history. She leaves her husband of 52 years, Frank W. Prejsnar; two sons, David C. Prejsnar of Philadelphia and Mark W. Prejsnar of Atlanta; two sisters, Jenny Castagna of Canaan, Conn., and Josephine Gendron of Johnstown, Ohio; and a granddaughter. She was predeceased by her sister, Helen Kinsella, and five brothers, Michael, Edward, Stephen, Stanley and Harry. She graduated from the former Williams High School where she had been a student "pro merito," (all grades were over 90 for all four years of high school), received an English award and the Alice Riggs Music Appreciation Award. Mary was an avid reader, going through seven books every four weeks; she was especially fond of poetry and history. She enjoyed studying the history of Poland and England. Her guidance and love of poetry inspired her son, Mark, to also write poetry, which was first published when he was a student at Williams College. She strove to motivate her son, David, in his studies, whereby he later became a Fulbright Scholar, completing his studies at Temple University. After the death of David's wife, Caroline, several years ago, she tried her best to guide David in being a single parent and devoted her time keeping abreast with the needs and growth of her loving granddaughter, Katie. A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Mary Prejsnar of Stockbridge will be offered on Saturday, June 1, at 10 at St. Joseph's Church in Stockbridge. The Rev. Steven F. C. McGuigan, pastor, will be celebrant. The family will receive friends on Friday from 4 to 7 at the FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. Those who wish may make memorial donations to the local library of their choice through the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories, reflections and signing of the guest book for the family may be sent to finnerty@bcn.net.

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